JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (1/30/06) -- Just two games out of first place in the Atlantic Sun Conference regular season standings, the ETSU men's basketball team hits the hardwood again tonight against league foe Mercer. Tip is set for 7 p.m. inside Memorial Center.

The Bucs, 11-8 overall, 8-4 in A-Sun play, are coming off a disappointing 74-71 overtime loss to Stetson on Saturday. However, with Kennesaw State's loss to Mercer that same day and Florida Atlantic's loss to league-leading Lipscomb Sunday, the Bucs are tied for third in league play and still in the hunt.

Individually, senior Ben Rhoda (Dayton, Ohio) will return to play tonight after serving a one-game suspension Saturday for his part in a mid-game scuffle during the Kennesaw State game last Wednesday night. Rhoda enters the game just 10 points shy of reaching 1,000 for his career.

For more on tonight's game, click on the game notes link located above.